Date of Award

6-1932

Degree Type

Bachelors Essay

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Education

First Advisor

C.M. Jenning

Second Advisor

William J. Grace

Abstract

Prior to 1896 the rules did not require more than one man on the line of scrimmage when the ball was put in play. Under these rules, the famous "flying wedge" was developed, in which ten of the eleven men were in motion when the ball was snapped. The rules were later changed, requiring five men to be on the line of scrimmage when the ball was put in play. This rule, together with its companion rule that "no player shall take more than a single step before the ball is put in play, save the one man who may be in motion toward his own goal," practically did away with the old momentum plays. In their place, under the rules of 1896 the "guards back" and "tackles back" plays were developed and continued in force until 1906, when the game was revolutionized by requiring seven men on the line of scrimmage and forbidding pushing and pulling, requiring the offensive team to make ten yards instead of five in three downs, and legalizing the forward pass. In 1912 the fourth down was added, requiring ten yards to be gained in four downs. The forward pass then became a weapon and the modern game of football has been developed until it is now played in practically every school and college the country over.

Comments

A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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